Transgressing Social Norms
“In her introduction, Yaqub notes that ‘women may choose to transgress social norms, or transgression may be thrust upon them; that the intentions of women who appear to transgress cannot always be known; that transgression occurs within global as well as local discourses that shape decisions, actions and consequences; and that the line separating acceptable from transgressive acts is fluid.’”
It goes to prove that women are just as capable as men. It propels them into a future that is different than that which exists today. One where they are able to choose for themselves the perception that they want to hold and to give to the rest of the world. It is this same perception which is simultaneously able to break through molds, go against that which is self-imposed and instead choose to pave a path that is uniquely their own.
However, to achieve such a future, some fight becomes necessary. Hence, the ‘transgressions’ that Yaqub references are born. A prime example is that of Amina Sboui, a Tunisian activist who wrote political statements on “her naked torso and distributed the images online”. Recognizing that the Middle East is a region with several voiced thoughts and ideas as to how women should act, dress and behave, Sboui wanted to find a means to prove that no one and no power, except herself had control over her own body and her own being.
Rula Quawas goes on to state that: “It is not unusual for Arab women to find their nonconformist thinking or behavior labeled ‘bad’. Accusations of badness are deployed to assert power over women.” Just as in the case of the Bad Girls of Japan, Arab women who seek to think in any way that contradicts that of the societal and cultural norm, will face a lot of opposition. Their ideas go starkly against that which was imposed by the male dominated society and thus, pose a threat to its existence and continued living. They then fight it off in the only means they know how — through further contributing to the labels that initially lay boundaries on women, hoping that they would once again force them into a box and prevent them from establishing a persona other than that which was chosen for them by society.
What is important to mention is that this “collection does not sensationalize or romanticize these acts of transgression. Instead it places them in their historical, political, and social context — including the burden Arab women often bear as representatives of collective honor, and the postcolonial legacy that makes them vulnerable to accusations of betraying their nation or religion”.
The book does not condone the use of physical aggression but rather, looks at the acts of such individuals like Sboui as being an intrinsic part of a much longer and very important historical, political and social movement meant to change the lives of people and more specifically, the lives of women.
In the case of both the books, women in these respective cultures and ethnicities were forced to maintain this painted on notion of perfection which was the farthest thing from realistic. These books simply help further pull away at the seams to portray the hidden and raw truth behind.
Want to help re-write the narrative? Email me at fa402@georgetown.edu or connect with me on LinkedIn. Also, you can find my book Unveiled: Through the Eyes of an Arab Woman on Amazon — here is the link to buy it: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KMFXTG1
